Jo R. is a mum in the Midlands. Although she is a runner, she still felt the ‘weight’ of carrying too much excess around with her, and was a self-confessed sugar addict. She allowed a friend’s journey to inspire her and started out on her own road to better health. This is her story, we love how she tells it…
I live in Kenilworth, Warwickshire with my husband and 2 gorgeous children (aged (almost!) 9 and 7). We’ve recently returned from 3 1/2 years living in New Jersey. I haven’t worked since having my firstborn and I keep fairly active. I ran regularly (I’ve completed 7 half marathons in the last 3 years) and went to the gym. I also ate…. Too much and the wrong foods!
I have always been ‘heavy’
Since returning to the UK last August I was determined to regain control of my weight gain. I have always, as far back as I can remember, been ‘heavy’. For too many years I have been overweight and not at all happy with this fact! I didn’t let my weight affect the things that I did but I was always very self-conscious walking around on a beach or at the pool in my swimsuit.
I feel like I’ve been trying to lose weight for most of my adult life! I was a comfort food eater, eating when I was bored, sad, happy, angry, anytime really! Also, because I ran I thought I was entitled to eat whatever I wanted. After all, I had just exercised! I would stick to a diet religiously for a couple of weeks, lose a few pounds and then get bored and/or hungry. I would eat some ‘forbidden’ food and that would be me back at square 1. The weight would soon pile back on, and a couple of pounds more for good measure!
Courage
Clair. H and I are friends from years ago and I had been following some of her posts on facebook about the success she was having with a weight loss programme she was on. She had been introduced to it by (another) Claire. I plucked up the courage to ring Claire W to find out more, and I am so glad I did. We re-connected straight away. Claire listened to my story and explained the way RESET works and it all seemed to make complete sense. One thing I have always struggled with is my cravings for high fat, sugary foods. I just didn’t crave carrot sticks and apple boats as much as that large bar of chocolate or that over-sized baguette!
Here we go…
So, I committed to do the RESET programme. How hard could it be to replace 5 days worth of meals with nutritious shakes?? Of course, I could snack too (carrot sticks, apple slices)! The children wanted to take me out for a meal on Mothering Sunday so I planned to start the following day. I ate that Sunday meal like it was going to be my last with the biggest sundae you have ever seen.
- On Monday morning I had my cup of hot water with slice of lemon, walked the children to school and returned for shake 1. I had a mid-morning snack of apple and nuts. Shake 2 at lunchtime. More apple mid-afternoon and shake 3 at teatime. I drank plenty of water all day. I also managed to make dinner for Mike and the kids without succumbing to ‘proper food’!
- Day 2 was much the same as day 1. Except for the headaches! WOW! I was grumpy, achy and miserable. I was also snappy with Mike. I didn’t much like this side of me but I am putting it down to my body being in withdrawal. I became aware just how addicted my body was – and the reality of breaking addiction hit hard.
- At this time, and well into day 3 (same pattern of shakes and snacks) I was committed to completing this 5 Day RESET and never drinking another protein shake again! There was no way I was going to continue on the 21 day maintenance programme.
- However, by day 4 I was feeling so much better. I was already seeing a difference when I put my clothes on, my energy levels were high (energy levels had always dropped considerably on previous diets) and I was running stronger than I had been previously.
- I finished day 5 and when I stepped on the scales I found that I had lost 10 pounds. I committed myself to a further 21 days…
Free to resist temptation
During the 21 day Transform phase the children had their Easter holidays. We went on holiday to Cornwall for a few days to visit my parents. Food temptations were all around me but I remained strong and focused. I was in a much different place, mentally and physically, that I did not want to break my newly forming habits. My mum was skeptical at first but when I explained that my body was coping so much better now that it wasn’t having to deal with the sugar highs and lows, that I was feeling more energised and that I was a lot calmer with the children, she wanted to know more! I’ve also had lots of opportunity to explain to my children what I’m doing. We eat our meals together at the kitchen table and it just seemed very natural to drink my shake while they were eating their tea while explaining the benefits of my food.
Lost weight but gained even more
I have completed the 21 day transform program now and I have lost a total of 21 pounds. However, I prefer to think about this weight loss journey in the things that I have gained, rather than what I have lost! I have gained better health (no more sugar highs or lows), a body that is comfortable wearing a swimsuit (especially now that I’ve dropped 2 dress sizes) and a lighter, more efficient running frame. My running times are getting faster. I’m less fatigued and so much stronger – both mentally and physically. I have also gained loads of education and the confidence that this weight is completely sustainable – something I’ve never felt before.
I am positive I can sustain this new weight
Looking back it’s hard to understand how well my body performed (especially at running) given its poor diet! Thank you so much for all you’ve done to help me so far. I can’t believe the results I’ve achieved. Friends have also commented on my disappearing waistline and trim figure. This gives me such a huge confidence boost and an opportunity to explain how and why I’ve done it. I’ve just got a few more pounds to go but I remain focused and very positive. I also feel that it’s completely sustainable – something I’ve never felt before.
6 Weeks – down 21 lbs
Wowsers lady – what a great turn around! Next stop… London Marathon?? Thanks for being so real. We love how you have really grasped what this is all about, so you can pass it on to others too. We are wondering who will be inspired by your story…
